Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Last night I had the opportunity to attend a preview screening of "Moms Night Out." I didn't know much about it, but free movie? I'm in!

It turns out the movie stars Patricia Heaton and Trace Adkins (who I couldn't have picked out of a lineup, but was at least a name I'd heard of), among others who I vaguely recognized but couldn't name. The premise is stressed out Mommy invites two other moms -- a BFF and their pastor's wife (Heaton) -- out for a much needed night on the town. Chaos and hilarity ensue.

What do you need to know about this movie?

1. I puffy heart Patricia Heaton. I know I'm not really the kind of person who goes around saying "puffy heart," but she is the Hollywood everymom isn't she? Everybody Loves Raymond, The Middle, now this movie. I just love her. She is definitely going on my Pinterest "People I would invite to dinner" board.

2. This movie made me definitely glad to be past the sippy cup and markers on the wall stage.

3. I thought the fathers in the movie were a little too incompetent. Yes, when Annie was a baby I couldn't leave her with Mike without him calling me 17 times while I was gone, but even he wasn't as bad as the dads in the movie were made out to be. I chalk it up to exaggeration for comedy's sake.

4. The baby is OK. There was one point in the movie where I was getting stressed out about the welfare of baby who had gone temporarily missing. But just at the point where I was about to stand up and scream at the screen, they let the audience know the baby was safe. The mom didn't find out until quite a while later.

5. My minivan is cool enough to have made it into this movie. #trendsetter

6. Unbeknownst to me, I'm kind of hot for Trace Adkins. He plays a biker-dude-tattoo-artist named Bones, but I think it was his voice (no singing, just talking) that turned my knees a little jello-ish. Pretty sure I'd let him sing me to sleep any time.

7. The movie is produced by Provident Films, which is a Christian film-making company. So there are a couple of (I'm thinking exactly 2) God-heavy parts. That didn't bother me; I love me some Jesus, but some of it seemed a little forced.

8. I was confused by the draw of the eagle video, until Allyson explained it to Bones and then I was all "Oh, yes! Yes." I even teared up. You'll have to see the movie to know what I'm talking about.

9. When I go for Moms Night Out (the thing moms do, not the movie), I wear jeans and head with friends to the nearest Mexican restaurant for chips & salsa and margaritas. I do not, and have not once, dressed up in sparkly shoes and a fantastic dress for a 4-star dinner. Also, if my husband saw me dressed like that to go out, he totally would have hit on me and made some reference to a little "Mom's (and Dad's) Night In" action. I was waiting for Allyson's husband to go there and thought it was odd he didn't.

10. One thing I wish the movie had represented was the experience and challenges of the working mom. It was the one voice I thought was missing.

11. (Bonus) Go. "Moms Night Out" opens Mother's Day weekend. It's family-friendly, rated PG. No bad language. No sex. I think kids could appreciate the humor, but I'd be more inclined to make it a true MNO or a date night.

If you go, let me know what you think.

Note: I received a free ticket to attend this movie screening, but was not required to write this post. All opinions -- including my thoughts about Trace Adkins and his deep, music-to-my-ears voice -- are my own.

5
comments:

Trace Adkins jello knees, huh? I was actually very surprised at how well he acted. Sometimes music stars don't translate to screen well. Some great observations! I think you're right that they over exaggerated the dad incompetence for the sake of the movie. I am wondering if my husband will be offended by the dad is a boob portrayal, too. I am either heartless or too trusting in that I assumed the baby was ok all along even before the scene (although that did ease my mind some).

The eagle video reminded me of how everyone was so nuts for panda cam for awhile. I thought it was a good tie in eventually, too.

a) "The baby is OK". LOL that is funny stuff!b) Little known fact: I've met Trace Adkins, way back in my radio days. He is one tall dude, and he has a deeeeep voice.c) The fact that you have written "love me some Jesus" enough that you've made a label of it? Priceless.